Medium-level laser in chronic tinnitus treatment.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of medium-level laser therapy in chronic tinnitus treatment. In a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial, either active laser (450 mW, 830 nm combined Ga-Al-As diode laser) or placebo irradiation was applied through the external acoustic meatus of the affected ear towards the cochlea. Fourty-eight patients with chronic tinnitus were studied. The main outcome was measured using the Goebel tinnitus questionnaire, visual analogue scales measuring the perceived loudness of tinnitus, the annoyance associated with tinnitus, and the degree of attention paid to tinnitus as well as psycho-acoustical matches of tinnitus pitch and loudness. The results did show only very moderate temporary improvement of tinnitus. Moreover, no statistically relevant differences between laser and placebo group could be found. We conclude that medium-level laser therapy cannot be regarded as an effective treatment of chronic tinnitus in our therapy regime considering the limited number of patients included in our study.

Lasotronic Laser device: the device can be adjusted in height, and the laser head can be tilted and rotated to reach the correct position of the laser beam. The turning knobs on the left serve to adjust focus and irradiation patterns. The key on the right is the main power switch.

Goebel psychological strain subdivision tinnitus score at SOT (1F1, red), EOT (2F1, orange), and CTR (3F1, blue) with respect to devices A and B of the associated number of patients. The patients indicated with “⚪” are statistical outliers.

Goebel penetrance of tinnitus subdivision and tinnitus score at SOT (1F2, red), EOT (2F2, orange), and CTR (3F2, blue) with respect to devices A and B of the associated number of patients. The patients indicated with “⚪” are statistical outliers.

Goebel sleeping disorders subdivision and tinnitus score at SOT (1F4, red), EOT (2F4, orange), and CTR (3F4, blue) with respect to devices A and B of the associated number of patients. The patients indicated with “⚪” are statistical outliers.